Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-08-05

understand His voice was deep with
emotion. Marjorie will forgive me in
a little while.
was too angry to be quiet any longer;
probably | ought not to have listened
but am human Springing to M feet,
walked round the intervening bushes
and confronted the two.
He took Celestine's hand in his, and
waited her answer breathlessly
Mr.. Clyde, l said-and he dropped
her hand and faced me-"allow me to
return your ring. I agree with you
Marjorie will forget that you ever ex-
listed in less time than you can i'm
agine.
He was too astonished to speak; and
the ring dropped at his feet. AS l turned
TO leave him, Celestine laughed softly.
What little tragedy queen it is!''
said she.
went up to my mother room.
Il have broken my engagement, 1
said. briefly
While / was telling her about it, my
cousin entered. Taking my hand. she
the room
Let me goi 1cried passionately. Il
hate you.
But you won t, after a little" she
answered. Listen: I am going to be
married in a few weeks. l knew you
were out there in the woods, and know
ing Mr. Clyde was going to try his old
game l purposely took him where you
would overhear his offer. Brother Tom
knows him of old. He has heard that I
have little more money than you, hence
the scene under the trees AS for love,
he does not care straw for either of us.
The only woman he ever cared for died
years ago, victim to his treachery. I
am going away next week, and Walter
will surely come to you and ask for for
giveness. ] came down here at your
mothers request on purpose to open your
eyes to the true character of the man you
loved. If you choose to take him back
you win have the opportunity. As for
myself, it does not matter. l have flirted
all my life, and never with so praise
worthy an object as now. Some time
you will forgive me-"
l got away from her and went to nv
room. was beginning to learn some
thing of the ways Of the world. That
night delicately tinted and perfumed
note was brought to me. 1t read thus:
My Injured Darling: Only let me see
you, kneel at your feet and explain.
"WALTER
Bah! it sickened me. l tore the note
into fragments, and wrote:
How dare you address me? Don't
presume ever to write or speak to me
again. Henceforth we are strangers.
MARJORIE
This note, with the presents that he
had made me, I put in package and
sent to him by the chambernaid.
Then went back to mamma and urged
her to leave the place at once. She con-
sented. Our maid packed the trunks
and we departed by the late train. l
said goodby to Celestine.
''Sone time may thank you for this,
l told her. mot now"
1t Is my 2ist birthday, and three years
and more since l last saw Walter Clyde.
l have heard that he married widow
severa, years older than himself, and
such bite as they lead!
Celestine is married, too, and / worship
her boy. She is a model wife and
mother. Such girls do sometimes make
the best OF wives
She says she feels that the good she did
during that Irritation counterbalanced a
multitude Of sins.
Oh, well, l have forgiven her; but my
heart is bitter toward men.
Mother and l are living at home in
Bristol.
1T is bitter cold day" mother said;
''you had better take drive, Marjorie. "
But told her was tired of driving.
and would start on foot to do some shop
ping.
The wind blew a gale, the crossings
were very slippery, and hurrying across
the street to escape being run over by a
cab, slipped and sprained my ankle
badly. Immediately crowd gathered
round me, l could not walk. was nearly
fainting with pain, and became half fran
tic. A gentleman passing in gig stopped
to see what the trouble was recognized
me, and instantly lifted me into his trap
and brought me home.
My rescuer was wealthy bachelor,
friend OF my mother, handsome. stately
gentleman, on the ''sunny side of 40"
l never dreamt of him as a lover. He
was so much older than l. 1t was long,
tedious month before could walk again,
and Hugh Cameron was frequent Wis
itor. He read to me, played chess with
me, and in many ways helped to make
the time pass pleasantly.
AT last got strong again, and able to
go out; but he still visited at our house,
and was sometimes my escort.
One day an ofhcious lady friend in
formed me that it was generally under